Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Chaves Alvarez has denied circulating reports that he plans to run for mayor of Puerto Princesa City in the 2028 elections.
The denial came after Alvarez brought barangay chairpersons from Puerto Princesa City to Davao City for an “Agri-Tourism Benchmarking” activity, joined by several businessmen and members of the Puerto Princesa City Council.
Alvarez said the trip was meant to help local officials, similar to assistance he has extended in the past even to barangay leaders outside his district.
He stressed that he is satisfied with his work in Congress and that his current plan is to complete his term as congressman of Palawan’s Second District.
“Unang-una, liwanagin ko, wala akong balak tumakbo sa pagka-mayor [ng Puerto Princesa City]. Maligaya ako, happy ako doon sa trabaho ko sa Kongreso. So, naawa ang Diyos at mayroon pa tayong 3 taon sa Kongreso up to 2028,” he said.
“Itong mga benchmarking na ideas na makuha natin sa 3 siyudad, kung sino ‘yung mayor ng 2028 na maako niya na kaya ko ‘yang gawin, tulungan na lang natin,” Alvarez added.
He added that, to his knowledge, former Palawan governor and 2nd District congressman Baham Mitra, former Puerto Princesa City vice mayor Nancy Socrates, and incumbent Vice Mayor Atty. Jimbo Maristela are among those being mentioned as possible candidates for the mayoralty in 2028.
Alvarez said that whoever wins the position should be supported by those who joined the benchmarking activity in Davao City and in other destinations they plan to visit, so that ideas learned there can be applied in Puerto Princesa to strengthen tourism and further develop the city’s economy.
Alvarez said there would still be many opportunities to work together and stressed that the benchmarking activities were not driven by any intention on his part to run for mayor, as he remains satisfied with his work in Congress.
He said his aim was for the participants to help think through and pass on the ideas they would gather to whoever becomes the next mayor, encouraging them to promote what they see as good practices, and reiterated that they should not expect him to be a candidate because he has no plans to run at this time.
“Marami pa kayong makikita pag mag-benchmark tayo kaya kayo ‘yung mag-udyok kung sino man ang maging mayor. Huwag ninyong asahan na ako ang kandidato kasi as of now, wala talaga akong plano,” he added.
Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela thanked Alvarez for inviting the City Council and said he did not hesitate to join the trip, believing it would help improve the city’s economy in the coming years.
Maristela said he did not hesitate to join the trip to Davao City after learning that barangay officials would be going and that the City Council had been invited by Councilor Elgin Damasco, as he believed it was important to see how Puerto Princesa compares with Davao City and other progressive areas in the Philippines.
He said the group gained many ideas from Alvarez that they would not have thought of on their own, including programs that had never crossed their minds before.
He added that he was grateful for the congressman’s support and believes Alvarez will continue to assist Puerto Princesa City even while serving as congressman of the Second District.
“Marami tayong natutunan sa kanya [JCA] at kung tayo lang ang mag-iisip, kung ako lang ang mag-iisip, ‘yung kanyang mga sinabi kanina ay hindi natin maiisip. Hindi nga sumagi sa isipan natin ‘yun na magkaroon ng mga ganung programa,” he said.
“Kaya ngayon pa lamang ay nagpapasalamat tayo kay Cong. JCA, maraming salamat sir sa ibinibigay ninyong tulong sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. Kami ay naniniwala na kahit kayo ay Congressman sa 2nd District ay patuloy kayong tutulong sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” Maristela stated.
City Councilor Elgin Damasco, however, said it would be better if Alvarez runs for mayor even for just one term to ensure that his plans for the city are carried out.
He said Alvarez had already achieved what were once considered impossible in Palawan province and could do the same in Puerto Princesa City, but added that they could not force him to run and should support him wherever he finds fulfillment.
“‘Yung imposible sa Puerto Princesa, magiging posible ‘yan kung siya ang magiging ama natin. Pero hindi natin siya mapilit at kung saan siya masaya, suportahan natin siya,” Damasco said.
Former city administrator and city information officer Rod Saucelo also said Alvarez could do much for the city if he decides to run and wins as mayor of Puerto Princesa City.
Saucelo said Alvarez has already proven his leadership as Palawan governor and now as a congressman, which would make it easier for him to further push the city and the livelihoods of its residents forward.
“Kung siya ay tutuloy sa pagtakbo sa pagka-Mayor at kung siya ay magiging Mayor, magiging napaka-bilis ng asenso ng Puerto Princesa,” Saucelo said.
